Shurmur press conf. transcript - 11/16

(Opening Statement)- “I know it’s right on your tip of your tongue, so I’ll just address it immediately. Joe Haden missed practice again today. At this point, he’ll be a game-time decision. I’ve got nothing really more to add. I think we listed it as an oblique strain. It’s something that can happen with a very harmless movement. We’ll just see where he’s at. He feels better today. On gameday we’ll decide if he can go.”

(On if Haden’s injury is like James-Michael Johnson’s injury from earlier this year)- “No, his was a rib.”

(On if pain tolerance will factor into things for Haden)- “We’ll just have to see. We’ll get him ready to go and if he can play, he will. If not, then we’ll adjust.”

(On what if they don’t have Haden)- “Then the next guy will do a terrific job, that’s what’s going to happen. Let’s not everybody get worried now. We’re going to load up the plane with our guys, go down there and play a football game. I’m excited about the work we put in. I’m excited about the team we’re going to take down there, and we’re going to make every effort to do what it takes to win the game.”

(On if Trevin Wade learned a lot from the playing time he had earlier in the season)- “No question. He’s one of the rookies that have been in here that has done an outstanding job, in my opinion, of getting up to speed. He gets better every time he gets an opportunity to either practice or play.”

(On if it’s hard to prepare for a team like Dallas with Rob Ryan blitzing a lot one year and not the next)- “I think you always look back at what they’ve liked to do at other places, but then I think it’s extremely important to watch the coordinator working with the players that he has and the situation that he’s in. I’m sure there are going to be wrinkles that we’re going to see. For the most part, the way they play the game, it will be similar. Every team puts in wrinkles for each new opponent. Having some of that knowledge of what he likes to do may help. We’ll see.”

(On if they prepare differently for Felix Jones and Demarco Murray)- “No, when it comes to the running game, I think you prepare the same way by the way you’re trying to defend them. They are similar in a lot of ways, I think. I think they both can be very effective. Defending the run - you don’t change it too much, depending on who the running back is because defending the run is kind of a scheme team thing.”

(On if he expected the team to be better in the second half of season because they are so young)- “I anticipate it because I believe in the players that we have on this roster - that the more they played, the better they would get. Yeah, I anticipated that.”

(On if Ahtyba Rubin will play Sunday)- “Rubin had a great week of practice. That’s pretty safe to say.”

(On what they will miss on special teams if Ray Ventrone doesn’t play)- “We’ll have to see there. That could be another adjustment to the roster. He’s a very dependable guy that finds a way to make plays. If for some reason he can’t play, it’s just like if Joe can’t play. The next guy in has got to do a good job.”

(On if Johnson Bademosi could be worked into the mix on defense if needed)- “He’ll be available as a corner, for sure. He’s had a good week of practice. He’s another one of those guys that’s developed. He’ll continue to develop, he just hasn’t had the on the field reps that, say Trevin (Wade) has had.”

(On if Haden will travel to Dallas)- “He’s gameday. Yeah, he’ll be there for sure.”